Synthetix and Derive Abandon $27M Merger After Community Revolt
DeFi giants Synthetix and Derive just torched their $27 million merger plan—thanks to a full-scale mutiny from their own communities. Turns out, decentralized governance isn’t just a buzzword after all.
The backlash was swift, brutal, and dripping with the kind of skepticism usually reserved for rug pulls. Because nothing says ’trustless’ like a user base that doesn’t trust you.
Another day, another crypto deal collapsing under the weight of its own hype. At least this one didn’t require a bailout—just a reality check.

Synthetix intended to leverage Derive’s infrastructure to power its upcoming Perps V4 product, which introduces a centralized order book model on Ethereum. With the merger shelved, the project is now expected to explore alternative avenues for development.
Both sides have agreed to walk away from the deal, with Derive affirming its focus on scaling independently. The episode underscores how decentralized governance and vocal communities continue to shape outcomes in the DeFi space.